Program overview

Program length: 1 year
FOUR Stroke Education Internship class size: 4 students
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Mayo Clinic’s Finding Opportunities in the Underrepresented (FOUR) in Stroke Education internship is a one-year program that provides college students from underrepresented minorities an opportunity to learn about health care and stroke, gain clinical exposure in the hospital setting, and empower participants to educate their community on stroke.

The internship is a great way for you to test your inclination toward a career in medicine, health care, and science. You will work closely throughout the year with your physician mentor, who will serve as an educator, mentor, and resource for your future career path.  

Application process

2024 FOUR Stroke Education Internship application timeline

Prerequisites

To be eligible for the internship, you must:

• Be an underrepresented minority or have a commitment to serving the medically underserved population
• Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Be seriously considering a career in healthcare or clinical research

Applicants are selected based on grades, work, and volunteer experiences, leadership qualities, and representation of personal qualities and skills in a personal letter.

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission. Select the following when creating an account:
   • School of Study - Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs
   • Area of Interest - FOUR Stroke Education Internship
2. Once logged on, select "Create a New Application"
3. Select "Start a Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Experience Application"
4. Complete each section of the application and submit
5. After submission:
   • Select the "View" button next to your application
   • Select the "Supplemental Items and Documents" tab
     • Upload your supplemental items
     • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• Essay is to include the following and then be uploaded in the Supplemental Items section:
  • In 500 words or less, write about your career goals and why you would be a good candidate for the program. 
• Unofficial college transcripts may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area. 
• Recent CV/resume.
• One letter of recommendation is required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. The recommender will receive an email with a link to upload a letter.
• Professional: References should be individuals who are/were an authority figure in your current/previous schooling or place of employment (i.e., supervisor, teacher).

Curriculum

The educational curriculum will allow the student to learn about a career in health care, the neurosciences, and stroke neurology. Twice a month, students will have lectures that range from professionalism, presenting medical cases, neurobiology of stroke, basic neuroanatomy, medical terminology, neuroimaging, stroke epidemiology, acute stroke therapies, and stroke prevention. Courses will be a mixture of online lectures and modules and in-person lectures.

The clinical exposure provides a hospital-based neurology clinical experience. Students will round with the Mayo Clinic stroke team twice a month, observing the evaluation, care, and treatment of stroke patients in the hospital. Here, the students will be able to apply the knowledge from their didactics to the bedside. They will be able to learn how to present cases that they have observed.

The hospital setting allows opportunities to better understand the team dynamics of providers in different healthcare roles, observe the patient-provider relationship, and interact with trainees at different stages of their medical education. Here, the student will also be able to identify a mentor that may guide them well past their graduation from the program.

The community outreach aspect of the program empowers the student to educate members of their community on stroke prevention and preparedness. Students will be tasked to teach four friends or family members about stroke, including:

• Four common stroke risk factors
• Four common stroke symptoms
• Four things to do if someone is having a stroke
• Four acute stroke treatments available

To successfully complete the program, the student must:

• Comply with all program and institutional policies
• Participate in assigned educational activities
• Attend at least 80% of hospital rotation dates
• Educate at least four friends or family members about stroke
• Complete a pre-program and post-program survey
• Present a written summary and oral presentation of their experience at the end of the program

Schedule and time commitment

You are expected to commit a minimum of three or four hours a week at Mayo Clinic for hospital rounds or lectures. Selected students will work with their mentor to determine a mutually agreeable schedule.

Tuition and financial aid

Mayo Clinic Office of Non-clinical Education Programs does not charge tuition or fees for the internship. No stipends or financial aid are provided to participants.

You are responsible for your living accommodations and transportation.

You may hold outside employment during the program if it does not conflict with your program responsibilities.

Accreditation information

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.